Ricoh Ireland Receives Business Working Responsibly Mark for a Second Time

Dublin, 04 November 2016: Ricoh Ireland today announced that it has achieved certification to the Business Responsibly Working Mark for the second time. The Mark recognises a select number of companies in Ireland that are leading the way for best practice corporate responsibility and sustainability. Ricoh received the Mark from Maurice Pratt, Business in the Community and An Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald at the annual CEO Forum held in Dublin Castle.

Fourteen companies certified to the Mark in 2016 were announced at the Forum which was attended by more than 200 CEOs from many of Ireland’s largest companies. Seven companies were recertified to the Mark and these included Accenture Ireland, Marks and Spencer, Musgrave Group, Northern Trust, Ricoh Ireland, Transdev and Ulster Bank. First time recipients of the Mark included A&L Goodbody, Arup, Bank of Ireland, eir, Janssen Supply Chain Ireland, Veolia Ireland and Vodafone Ireland.

The Mark which is run by Business in the Community Ireland and based on ISO 26000 is valid for three years and is independently audited by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). Ricoh Ireland was recognised for its highly proactive approach to promoting CSR initiatives within its own business and throughout local communities. This includes Ricoh employees receiving two days paid volunteering days per year.  Ricoh raises much-needed funds and awareness for charities such as LauraLynn Children’s Hospice, which was nominated by Ricoh staff as its charity of the year.  

Ricoh also partnered with St. Kevins College in Finglas as part of its School Business Partnership Programme. The project is aimed at introducing children in the local community to the world of work, encouraging them to complete their education and build a successful career.

As part of its sustainable approach to print and document management, Ricoh Ireland provides environmentally-friendly print technologies and services to a wide range of businesses and charities across Ireland.  Speaking at the event, Tina Roche, CEO, Business in the Community Ireland said: “As the economy grows, businesses in Ireland need to look at the essential components for responsible and sustainable growth. Work life balance, ethical consumerism and supply chain risks are key areas that companies need to focus on.  The Mark is challenging to achieve so I congratulate the companies today on getting it. These forward-thinking companies strive to understand stakeholder expectations of them and manage their businesses accordingly.”

An Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald commented, “Sustainable growth, job creation, environmental sustainability and social resilience are cornerstones of this government’s economic and social policies.  They are crucial to attract investment, foster the growth of the economy and to build social cohesion, equality and inclusion. They are all interconnected. Frameworks such as the Business Working Responsibly Mark support these goals and it is important to acknowledge the leadership of these Irish businesses in pursuing certification of their responsible and sustainable practices”.

Gary Hopwood, general manager, Ricoh Ireland, said, “We’re thrilled to again be recognised as one of the leaders for corporate responsibility and sustainability in Ireland. As Ireland’s only certification for responsible business practices, the Mark is the accreditation we hold most dearly. To attain it for a second time is a wonderful achievement for all of our team. It perfectly encapsulates all of our CSR efforts. As the only company in our sector to achieve this accreditation, it also provides us with a competitive edge when attracting new customers and colleagues.”